Gosho Zenshu - Part 05
"We adorn the treasure tower of our being with the four aspects [of birth, aging, sickness and death]."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"The 'place' where Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and dwell in faith corresponds to the passage 'reside in the air.' In other words, they reside in the Ceremony in the Air."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"The Treasure Purity world is the mother's womb."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"To chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to offer a jeweled flower to the Buddha."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-741)
"'Precious jewel' stands for the principle of three thousand realms in a single life-moment."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-741)
"Those who embrace the Lotus Sutra should do so with the awareness that they will meet persecution without fail."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they are like the a great wind blowing."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"The earth represents the phenomenon of the body, while the air represents the phenomenon of the mind. But we should understand that body and mind are not two separate entities."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Hence, the 'air' [as in Ceremony in the Air] represents the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"The passage 'all the members of the great assembly are in the air' refers to the aspect of our death."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Eight means to open the Mystic Law within one's body and mind."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-745)
"The two Chinese characters 'dragon' and 'woman' are used to represent the Dragon King's daughter: 'Dragon' refers to the father, and 'woman' to his eight-year-old daughter. The combination of both these Chinese characters indicates the simultaneous enlightenment of the father and the daughter."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden,, GZ-746)
'Encouraging' [of the 'Encouraging Devotion' chapter of the Lotus Sutra] is to practice for others whereas 'devotion' means to practice for oneself. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a practice for both oneself and others. Nichiren and his followers are now 'encouraging' others in the 'devotion' to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-747)
"The first shi [of shishi] represents the Mystic Law as it is passed on by the mentor. The second shi indicates the Mystic Law as it is received by the disciples. The 'roar' [of the lion] is the sound of the mentor and disciples chanting [daimoku] in unison."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden,, GZ-748)
"Demons rob people of life force. Therefore, they are called robbers of benefit."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-749)
"When difficulties arise, we should regard them as 'joyful'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-750)
"One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-750)
"The only effective sword to fight against the fundamental darkness is faith."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo)] The function of fire is to burn."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Boundless Practices (Muhengyo)] The function of wind is to blow away impurities"
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Pure Practices (Jyogyo)] The function of water is to purify."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Firmly Established Practices] The function of earth is to nourish all vegetation."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"To embrace this fundamental Law is the work of the single word, faith. With the sword of faith one can conquer life's fundamental darkness."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"Faith means accepting and upholding this essential law. Faith is the sharp sword with which to subdue fundamental darkness."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
["in this saha world they dwell in the empty space in its lower part" (LS-15, 220)] "The lower part represents the principle of truth."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"All in all, the ultimate of the Juryo chapter does not lie in subjugating delusions one by one in order to attain enlightenment. You should realize that its significance is to gain enlightenment as you are, remaining as the entity of a common mortal."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"As for the transcendental powers, the actions that are carried out instant by instant, motion by motion, by us, the living beings, are known as transcendental powers."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"The Buddha eternally endowed with the three properties [the Buddha of kuon ganjo, or the original Buddha] is the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'Thus Come One' refers to all living beings."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"The title of this chapter deals with an important matter that concerns Nichiren himself. This is the transmission described in the 'Supernatural Powers' chapter... [The title of the 'Life Span' chapter should be read] 'Life Span of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Thus Come One... 'Eternally endowed with the three bodies' refers to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. The title of honor for one eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo... 'Thus Come One' refers to all living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay followers of Nichiren... [When we earnestly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] in instant after instant there will arise in us the three bodies with which we are eternally endowed."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'To fathom the life span' (Jpn juryo) means to measure and elucidate the benefit of various Buddhas."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'To attain' means 'to open'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"Aside from the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no 'secret' and no 'transcendental' power. The inherently endowed three properties [of the Thus Come One] are attained through a single word. And that word is 'faith.' Hence, the sutra states, 'We will believe and accept the Buddha's words.' You should reflect on these two words 'believe' and 'accept'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"Now Nichiren and his followers who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are the original lord of the teaching of the 'Life Span' chapter."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'Remote past' means Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and 'actual enlightenment' means awakening to the fact that one is eternally endowed with the three bodies."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'Attainment' means to open up or to gain access to. The beings of the Dharma-realm gain access to the life of the Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"The originally endowed three enlightened properties mentioned here are attained through a single word. And that word is faith."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'I' [in the phrase, 'Since I in fact attained Buddhahood] represents the living beings of the Dharma-realm. [It refers to] each and every one in the Ten Worlds."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"We adorn the treasure tower of our being with the four aspects [of birth, aging, sickness and death]."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"The 'place' where Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and dwell in faith corresponds to the passage 'reside in the air.' In other words, they reside in the Ceremony in the Air."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"The Treasure Purity world is the mother's womb."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-740)
"To chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to offer a jeweled flower to the Buddha."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-741)
"'Precious jewel' stands for the principle of three thousand realms in a single life-moment."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-741)
"Those who embrace the Lotus Sutra should do so with the awareness that they will meet persecution without fail."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they are like the a great wind blowing."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"The earth represents the phenomenon of the body, while the air represents the phenomenon of the mind. But we should understand that body and mind are not two separate entities."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Hence, the 'air' [as in Ceremony in the Air] represents the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"The passage 'all the members of the great assembly are in the air' refers to the aspect of our death."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-742)
"Eight means to open the Mystic Law within one's body and mind."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-745)
"The two Chinese characters 'dragon' and 'woman' are used to represent the Dragon King's daughter: 'Dragon' refers to the father, and 'woman' to his eight-year-old daughter. The combination of both these Chinese characters indicates the simultaneous enlightenment of the father and the daughter."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden,, GZ-746)
'Encouraging' [of the 'Encouraging Devotion' chapter of the Lotus Sutra] is to practice for others whereas 'devotion' means to practice for oneself. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a practice for both oneself and others. Nichiren and his followers are now 'encouraging' others in the 'devotion' to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-747)
"The first shi [of shishi] represents the Mystic Law as it is passed on by the mentor. The second shi indicates the Mystic Law as it is received by the disciples. The 'roar' [of the lion] is the sound of the mentor and disciples chanting [daimoku] in unison."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden,, GZ-748)
"Demons rob people of life force. Therefore, they are called robbers of benefit."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-749)
"When difficulties arise, we should regard them as 'joyful'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-750)
"One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-750)
"The only effective sword to fight against the fundamental darkness is faith."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo)] The function of fire is to burn."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Boundless Practices (Muhengyo)] The function of wind is to blow away impurities"
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Pure Practices (Jyogyo)] The function of water is to purify."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"[Relative to Bodhisattva Firmly Established Practices] The function of earth is to nourish all vegetation."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"To embrace this fundamental Law is the work of the single word, faith. With the sword of faith one can conquer life's fundamental darkness."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"Faith means accepting and upholding this essential law. Faith is the sharp sword with which to subdue fundamental darkness."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
["in this saha world they dwell in the empty space in its lower part" (LS-15, 220)] "The lower part represents the principle of truth."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-751)
"All in all, the ultimate of the Juryo chapter does not lie in subjugating delusions one by one in order to attain enlightenment. You should realize that its significance is to gain enlightenment as you are, remaining as the entity of a common mortal."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"As for the transcendental powers, the actions that are carried out instant by instant, motion by motion, by us, the living beings, are known as transcendental powers."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"The Buddha eternally endowed with the three properties [the Buddha of kuon ganjo, or the original Buddha] is the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'Thus Come One' refers to all living beings."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"The title of this chapter deals with an important matter that concerns Nichiren himself. This is the transmission described in the 'Supernatural Powers' chapter... [The title of the 'Life Span' chapter should be read] 'Life Span of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Thus Come One... 'Eternally endowed with the three bodies' refers to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. The title of honor for one eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo... 'Thus Come One' refers to all living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay followers of Nichiren... [When we earnestly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] in instant after instant there will arise in us the three bodies with which we are eternally endowed."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'To fathom the life span' (Jpn juryo) means to measure and elucidate the benefit of various Buddhas."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-752)
"'To attain' means 'to open'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"Aside from the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no 'secret' and no 'transcendental' power. The inherently endowed three properties [of the Thus Come One] are attained through a single word. And that word is 'faith.' Hence, the sutra states, 'We will believe and accept the Buddha's words.' You should reflect on these two words 'believe' and 'accept'."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"Now Nichiren and his followers who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are the original lord of the teaching of the 'Life Span' chapter."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'Remote past' means Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and 'actual enlightenment' means awakening to the fact that one is eternally endowed with the three bodies."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'Attainment' means to open up or to gain access to. The beings of the Dharma-realm gain access to the life of the Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"The originally endowed three enlightened properties mentioned here are attained through a single word. And that word is faith."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
"'I' [in the phrase, 'Since I in fact attained Buddhahood] represents the living beings of the Dharma-realm. [It refers to] each and every one in the Ten Worlds."
(Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Ongi Kuden, GZ-753)
